Massive Meadowhall Expansion Plans Reveal New Retail Landmark

The plans for the mega-project, which includes new food and beverage spots plus an extensive leisure space, is open for public consultation.

Leisure Hall in Sheffield, U.K.

Sheffield, U.K.—British Land, joint owner of Meadowhall shopping center, unveiled details on the $434 million modernization project for the retail facility and launched a public consultation process. This involves building Leisure Hall, a 330,000-square-foot addition that will incorporate the existing structure and house a wide range of new dining and entertainment amenities.

Leisure Hall’s elegant, large glass roof will cover the multi-level landscaped mall which will offer future visitors a café court at ground floor level for informal dining and drinks, a wide range of well-known restaurant brands, as well as a few premium dining options.

Additionally, a state-of-the-art cinema will replace the existing one in the Oasis Dining Quarter, while fitness aficionados will be able to enjoy a new gym and have fun on the ten-pin bowling alley or on the indoor golf course. Leisure Hall was also designed as a venue for large outdoor events, including concerts. This represents the single largest investment in Meadowhall, one of six super-regional shopping centers in the U.K. which opened 25 years ago.

“We are continuing to drive Meadowhall’s evolution to ensure it remains an outstanding place for modern consumer lifestyles. This significant step change in the scheme’s leisure provision will contribute to Sheffield’s continuation as a driving force behind the Northern Powerhouse. This is a very exciting time and we look forward to working with Sheffield City Council to help ensure Sheffield’s future success”, said Charles Maudsley, head of retail and leisure for British Land.

The project is also the most notable investment in the Sheffield City Region in the last decade and it will generate at least 1,000 jobs, as well as temporary construction positions. The detailed planning application for the Leisure Hall will be submitted in late summer 2016. Until then, everyone interested can have their say regarding the project. Plans will be displayed at Meadowhall on the 3rd and 4th of June.

If proposals are approved, the new construction is set to break ground in 2018 and become operational in late 2020 or early 2021.